But the club have issued a statement distancing themselves from the move, with new regulations introduced by the Chinese Football Association having largely curbed lavish spending during the most recent transfer window.

“Since March 6, 2018, several local media have quoted foreign reports that Spanish player Andres Iniesta is about to join our club,” the statement read.

Article continues below

[embedded content]

“We hereby solemnly announce that those reports are untrue. With regard to all the false stories about us, our club reserve the right to take legal action.”

Iniesta’s primary focus this week is Barcelona’s Champions League showdown against Chelsea on Wednesday and he completed a portion of Monday’s training session with his team-mates having missed Saturday’s win at Malaga with a hamstring injury.

Ernesto Valverde’s side welcome the reigning Premier League champions to Camp Nou with the last-16 tie all square at 1-1.